The diary of a priest, being random thoughts and various things of possible interest from the founding pastor of Our Lady of the Atonement Church in San Antonio, Texas.

10 July 2008

The gathering of the clans...

People are beginning to arrive for the 2008 Anglican Use Conference, being held here this year as part of our twenty-fifth anniversary celebrations. We have more than two hundred registered for the conference, and it'll be a great time, getting to see old friends and meeting new ones. There will be a number of individuals coming who want to know more about the Pastoral Provision, and we'll be praying they'll see their future here, with us, in communion with Peter.

We're looking forward to hearing Dr. Jeffrey Steenson, former Episcopal bishop, tell about his own journey into the fullness of the Catholic faith. And we'll be hanging on every word from Archbishop John Myers, our Ecclesicastical Delegate.

There'll be plenty of food and drink, along with convivial company. When it's over I'm sure the verdict will be, "A good time was had by all."

MASS SCHEDULE

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A little about me

Fr. Phillips is the founding pastor of Our Lady of the Atonement Catholic Church, the first Anglican Use parish, established on August 15, 1983.
Not that there is any confusion, but he is on the left, shown in his younger, less gray-headed days.

"With all my heart, I bless you and your people..."

In 1983 I was a newly-ordained priest. In November of that year, it was my privilege to be in Rome to take part in developing The Book of Divine Worship. During that time an invitation was extended to celebrate Mass with His Holiness, Pope John Paul II, in his private chapel. After we had said Mass, and in those few moments I had with the Holy Father, he told me that he remembered considering the request for my ordination, and he described how he came to an affirmative decision. For me, our brief conversation was an experience which will be treasured forever. At the conclusion of our time together, I asked him if I could take his blessing back to the people of my parish. His very simple words remain precious to me: "With all my heart, I bless you and your people." He then embraced me, and I knew that I was forever "home in my Father's house."